Turkey’s DHMI Adds Citation Longitude for Inspections
The General Directorate of State Airports Authority of Türkiye (DHMİ) has bolstered its flight inspection capabilities with the addition of a Bombardier Citation Longitude configured specifically for airborne system checks. The ultra‑long‑range jet, registered TC‑FCD (msn 700‑0091), began its service with DHMI Hava Taksi at Ankara Esenboğa in July 2023. After undergoing rigorous modification by German specialist Aerodata AG, the 1.8‑year‑old aircraft returned to Turkey in March 2025, ready to conduct precision flight inspection missions across the nation.
Initially delivered to DHMI Hava Taksi, the Citation Longitude was ferried from Ankara to Aerodata’s facilities in Germany via Braunschweig/Wolfsburg and Mönchengladbach in April 2024. There, Aerodata AG completed a comprehensive integration of flight inspection systems, including advanced avionics for calibrating instrument landing systems, PAPI approach lights, and VOR navigation aids to ensure Türkiye’s airports maintain the highest safety standards. Over several months, the jet—then registered D‑BDHM in Germany—underwent multiple test flights around Braunschweig, Bremen Hans Koschnick Airport, Hamburg, and Mönchengladbach between March 5 and March 19, 2025.
Following successful acceptance trials, the Citation Longitude departed Germany on March 23, returning to Ankara Esenboğa under its Turkish registration. It conducted its first operational test flight as TC‑FCD on April 12, 2025, before beginning a series of domestic inspection missions designed to map and certify runway lighting, radio navigation, and approach procedures at airports throughout the country.
This latest delivery completes the scope of DHMI’s current cooperation with Aerodata AG, which earlier installed analogous flight inspection systems on two Bombardier Citation Latitude jets delivered in early 2024. Together, these three aircraft form the backbone of Türkiye’s airborne calibration fleet, enabling the State Airports Authority to perform regular airspace surveillance and ensure compliance with international aviation safety regulations.
In addition to the Citation Longitude and two Citation Latitudes, DHMI’s fixed‑wing fleet comprises two Citation XLS jets alongside a range of helicopters deployed for surveillance and air traffic management support. The state‑owned authority, operating under Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, oversees the country’s airports and regulates national airspace, with its aircraft management and maintenance arm ensuring each platform remains mission‑ready.
The Citation Longitude’s induction is particularly significant given the jet’s combination of long‑range capability and cabin space, which allows DHMI to conduct extended inspection flights without multiple refueling stops. Its advanced systems support the calibration of ILS glide slopes to within tight tolerances, contributing directly to safer takeoff and landing operations at Türkiye’s busiest airports.
With aviation traffic rebounding globally, Türkiye’s investment in modern flight inspection assets underscores its commitment to maintaining robust air navigation services. The upgraded fleet will allow DHMI to schedule inspections efficiently, minimize disruption to commercial flights, and adapt swiftly to evolving air traffic requirements. By leveraging the Citation Longitude’s performance, the authority can rapidly inspect remote or mountainous airfields that were previously challenging to service.
As Türkiye’s aviation network continues to expand, the State Airports Authority’s enhanced flight inspection fleet will play a vital role in validating navigation aids, ensuring runway lighting systems perform reliably, and safeguarding the integrity of approach procedures. With the Citation Longitude now operational, Türkiye’s airports are better equipped to meet growing passenger and cargo demand while adhering to the strictest safety standards.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com